Christmas in Uganda : Sekukulu in Uganda

Ugandaofficially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered on the north by South Sudan, by the east by Kenya, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania.

The Capital and largest city of this country is Kampala.

Christmas Celebrations in Uganda :

Christmas in Uganda is called Sekukulu(the birth of Jesus Christ), which begins on the 24th of December with a “watch night” service and it is celebrated till the 25th of December mid night. We do not use candles but the church is well lit, richly decorated and the service includes many Christmas carols. The morning of Sekukulu, the church is filled to full capacity; even people who never go to church attend church on this day. People get to wear their new clothes, especially the women who will show off their new traditional dresses in rich colors with matching turbans. Everything stops for Sekukulu. Hospitals start discharge patients, except for those who have serious conditions.

Chicken plays a central role in the Sekukulu feasting. The evening before Sekukulu is a very exciting time as the aroma of the foods being prepared fills the air. Everybody eats and drinks until they cannot eat any more. After the major feast it is time of storytelling, games, dancing and singing while drinking soda and snacking on cakes.